Morning sex feature in Metro

In psychology and particularly in sex psychology, the associations we make with things are really important.  This influences everything from kink to fetish.  Our sensory experiences in particular play a huge part in our associations of arousal, intimacy, bonding and connection.  Think scented candles, massage oils, champagne and strawberries.  Things that stimulate our senses are an important aspect of how we experience intimacy.

Whilst breath is not considered as a pheromone - our bodies chemical responses to proximity well documented as required for mating - our associations with them have a similar effect.  Pheromones trigger a behavioural response, one of them is signalling that we are ready for sex.  This is why perfume companies claim (without substantiation) to emulate them, and why so many perfume adverts have sexual connotations.

In the same way that we can feel aroused by scent - essentially because a) we like the smell but more importantly b) because we associate it with something - it makes sense that morning breath can be appealing.

Common associations with morning breath are around safety and familiarity.  Before we get up and make ourselves presentable to the outside world, we are in a vulnerable and more natural state.  This signals that there is something special about being included in this.  That we are special. It says, I trust you to experience me in this state. Being in close proximity to someone in this state - even if we haven’t been with them for a long time - invokes feelings of safety and belonging.  Vulnerability is the key to connection, and morning breath might just be a way of silently connecting with someone on a sub conscious level.